ve a
spiritual uplift and fine dignity to the occasion. These noble men are
staunch supporters of our work, and freely give to our corps of teachers
the benefits of fatherly and fraternal fellowship.

A resolution expressing the gratitude of the colored people for this
generous gift was adopted with enthusiasm, and the inspiring exercises
came to a close with the praises of God in the well-known words of
Bishop Ken: "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."

The event marks the beginning of an epoch in our work in this place. One
dark brother said: "It is the greatest day for the colored people of
Lexington since the emancipation."

* * * * *

CONGREGATIONALISM AROUND PARIS, TEXAS.

BY REV. J.D. PETTIGREW.

It gives me much pleasure to tell you what we are doing for the Master
and for Congregationalism in this part of the great field. I came to
Paris nearly eleven months ago and assumed the pastorate of the First
Congregational Church. I had been here but a short time when I found
that there were three other Congregational Churches out in the country
near Paris, and that there had once been a Quarterly Conference made up
of these four churches; but this Conference had died out ere I came. I
thought that such an organization, if revived, would be a great stimulus
to the churches, and especially to those out in the country, two of
which were, at that time, without pastors. So I sent out cards notifying
the brethren that the Conference would convene at a specified day, and
urging them to come in full representation.

A few, very few, responded. We organized. After transacting a little
business the Conference adjourned to meet at our next regularly
appointed time. Before the time for our next meeting we were all made to
rejoice by the coming of Rev. M.R. Carlisle, a graduate of both the
collegiate and theological courses of Talladega College, from Alabama,
to assume the pastoral charge of two of these churches--Dodd City and
Bois D'Arc.

He and I drew up a plan to re-organize the old Conference into a more
excellent and practical one. We offered our plan at the next meeting of
the Conference, and it was cheerfully received. The effect of this plan
was to change the name from Conference to Association, and to divide the
Association into three distinct departments, each with its own set of
officers, as follows: a Sunday-school Department, composed of the
different Sunday-schools of